Printer unit particularly adapted for use in a system dispensing metered amounts of liquid



E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

Oct. 13, 1964 PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTEID FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS OF IJIQUID 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 1961 INVENTORS DWARD D- RAP/SARDA ANGELO LAC/VITA l\ l I E ll by Bil-24 Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

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p Q M Oct. l3, 1964 E. D. RAPlSARDA ETAL 3,152,754 PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS 0F LIQUID 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001;. 2, 1961 INVENTORS [DWHRD p. kap/sawzw xwagco LAC/W77? Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS OF LIQUID Filed Oct. 2, 1961 l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TORS M3 DW/9R'D 11. RAP/$ 72M ,q/vauo m/ v/rn 02 BY 661 14, qvzme Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS 0F LIQUID 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2, 1961.

Oct. 13,- 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DI PENS ERE 1 S ING MET D AMOUNTS OF LIQUID 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 2, 196

BY a -mu XE A54 2 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS 0F LIQUID Filed Oct. 2, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS EDWARD p. PAP/SHRDA ANGELO Aflc/v/rn BY 4- 7744.2

dzraavz7 5 Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

PRINTER mm PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR usE IN A sysmvr DISPENSING METEIRED AMOUNTS OF LIQUID Filed Oct. 2, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet e INVHV TORS DWHRD .D- RA /5mm ,q/lsuo ulc/ v/rn.

T I'l 1E- ISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

AD 'PTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS OF LIQUID" 1-5 Sheets-Sheet 9 Oct. 13, 1964. E. D. RAP

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY Flled Oct 2 1961 Oct. 13, 1964 E. 0. RAPISARDA ETAL ,7 4

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS 0F LIQUID Filed Oct. 2, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 a W i? INVENTOR5 EDWARD p. PHP/snRpn mvauo LflC/V/Tfl Oct. 13, 1964 D. RAPIS DA ETAL 3,

PRINTER UNIT TICULA Y D PTE OR IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING MET D AMOU OF UID Filed Oct. 2, 1961 15 Sheets-Sheet 11 v Illlllllllllllh Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS OF LIQUID 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Oct. 2. 1961.

IN VEN TORS 1) WARD D. RAP! .SflRDA ANGELO L llC/ V/ 74 0 BY 66 +22 an 0,017 5 Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM Filed Oct. 2, 1961 DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS OF LIQUID l5 Sheets-Sheet 13 xxx-k INVENTORJ 3,1 52,754 UIN A SYSTEM E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS 0F LIQ ID 15 Sheets-Sheet 14- Oct. 13, 1964 Filed Oct. 2, 1961 Oct. 13, 1964 E. D. RAPISARDA ETAL 3,152,754

PRINTER UNIT PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN A SYSTEM DISPENSING METERED AMOUNTS 0F LIQUID Filed Oct. 2, 1961 15 Sheets-$heet 15 WW /%V///////////A INVENTORS [DWARF PAP/$42M "Natl-0 c/ V/T BY 47714.2

Mann? 5 United States Patent PRliNTER UNIT PARTECULARLY ADAPTER FQR USE IN A SYSTEM DHSPENSING METERED AMOUNTS OF LIQUID Edward D. Rapisarda, West Springfield, and Angelo M. Lacivita, Springfield, Mass, assignors to Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Company, West Springfield,

Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Get. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 142,345 3 Claims. (tCl. 235-58) The present invention relates to improvements in printing devices, and more particularly to improvements in printing devices of the type intended for use with a commodity delivering apparatus to record the amount and cost of a delivery.

For illustrative purposes reference will herein be made to liquid dispensing apparatus as would be used for the delivery of fuel oil to a retail purchaser. Such reference is not to be taken as a limitation on the use of the device disclosed since it would have utility in the delivery of gasoline or other commodities.

An object of the invention is to provide a maximum of information on a printed line of minimum length.

Another and ancillary object is to obtain a minimum spacing between a series of adjacent printing wheels wherein the wheel at one end is rotated in response to the delivery of fuel oil and the remaining wheels are incrementally rotated in response to each complete revolution of the adjacent printing wheel adjacent said one end.

Another object is to attain the above ends in a simple and effective manner which permits a Zero reading to be printed on a ticket and then the ticket retained until after a final reading has been printed thereon upon completion of a delivery of fuel oil.

A further object is to provide improved means for zeroing the printing wheels after each delivery.

Yet another object of the invention is to impose a fixed sequence of operation which will minimize, if not eliminate, the possibility of fraud on the part of the person making a delivery of fuel oil.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a printing device capable of recording not only the amount and cost of a delivery, but optionally to record the amount of tax, if any, on the delivery and further to record the total cost to the purchaser.

The above and other related objects as Well as the novel features of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosure found in the accompanying drawings and the novelty thereof pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a printing device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation thereof with portions broken away and in section;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printer, on an enlarged scale, with portions thereof broken away and others in section;

FIG. 4 is a plan View showing selected frame elements and shafts journaled thereon, with most other parts omitted; v i

, FIG. 5 is a section taken online V- -V in FIG. 4 and additionally showing a print arm in an intermediate position and a ticket holder;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken generally on line VII-VII in FIG. 4 and showing primarily the drive for volume indicating wheels of the device;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a section taken generally on line IXIX in FIG. 4; I

From is a section taken generally on line X-X in ice FIG. 4 and showing primarily the drive for the price per gallon wheels of the device and the means for adjusting the computing rate of the variator employed herein;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on line XIXI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a section on an enlarged scale taken generally on line XII-XII in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a section taken on line XHL-XIII in FIG. 4 and showing primarily the drive for the fuel oil cost wheels of the device;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line XIVXIV in FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a view takenon line XV-XV in FIG. 13 with portions thereof broken away and showing primarily a restraining element.

FlG. 16 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken generally on line XVI-XVI in FIG. 4 and showing primarily the selective drive for tax indicating wheels of the device;

PEG. i7 is a section taken generally on lines XVII- XVII in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken generally on line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 4;

FIG. 19 is a section taken generally on line XIX-XDC in FIG. 12;

FIG. 20 is a section taken on line XXXX in FIG. 12;

FIG. 21 is a view on an enlarged scale taken on line XXI-XXI in FIG. 4.

FlG. 22 is a section taken on line XXIIXXII in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a section taken generally on line XXIII XXlll in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a section taken generally on line XXTV XXIV in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an alternate position of certain interlock components seen in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a section taken on line XXVIXXVI in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a receipt ticket used with the present printer, portions of which have successively been broken away; and 7 FIG. 28 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing the printing device incorporated in a fuel delivery system.

The printer unit of the present invention is adapted for use in the retail delivery of fuel oil and would be mounted on the usual tank truck employed in making such deliveries. The printer unit comprises a series of type wheels indicated generally at 30 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The Wheels 30 are drivingly connected to a variator 32 which is preferably mounted immediately beneath or adjacent the printing unit. The input for the variator is provided by a shaft 34 which is drivingly connected to a meter (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) for measuring the amount of fuel oil being delivered.

Actually there are several driving connections to the wheels 39 so that different wheels will respectively indicate: (a) the volume of fuel delivered; (b) the price per gallon; (c) the cost of the fuel delivered; (d) the amount of taX on the fuel and (e) the total cost (c-l-a') of each delivery.

A knob 36 is mounted on one side of theprinting unit to adjust the rate of computation of the variator 32 in accordance with the price per gallon to be established for the fuel. The variator itself is preferably constructed in accordance with the teachings of my copending application Serial No. 850,896, filed November 4, 1959. R0- tation of the knob 36 further adjusts certain of the wheels St) to print this price per gallon, which price is also indicated by a counter 38, visible through an opening in the outer casing 49 of the printer.

Initially, acover 42 is raised (to the indicated phantom position) and a ticket T placed in a carrier44 above the wheels 30. The cover 42 is then closed and an operating lever 46 rotated towards the left. This movement of the operating lever causes a roller 48 to print on the card a zero reading, viz, the top line seen on the ticket T in EEG. 27. All the wheels 39, except those indicating price per gallon print a zero on the card. The printer is now ready for a delivery of fuel oil. At this time the operating lever 46 overlies (see phantom position in 1G. 3) the cover 4-2 to prevent removal or insertion of the ticket until the printing lever has been returned to its start position.

When the delivery of fuel oil is completed, the operation lever is swung in the opposite direction causing the wheels 39 to print a second impression on the card, indicating the amount and cost of fuel delivered. During each delivery, the volume of fuel delivered is shown by a counter 50, while the cumulative volume is shown by a counter 52, both counters being visible through openings in the casing 46. After each delivery and following the return of the operating handle to its start position, a reset knob 54 must be operated to return the appropriate type wheels 3 to their Zero positions before a second delivery of fuel can be made.

Printing of Zero and Final Readings The operating lever 46 is mounted at the upper end of a shaft 56 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) which is journaled in an inverted U-shaped bracket 53 and journaled at i lower end in a frame plate 65 The plate as has integrally cast walls 62, 53 which support parallel, spaced plates 64, 65 respectively. The U-shaped bracket 58 is in turn supported on the plates 64 and secured thereto by screws as.

The print roller 48 (FIGS. 3 and 5) is mounted at the end of an arm 68 which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 55 by means of a pin '75P. The arm 68 thus rotates with the shaft 56 but is free to swing in a vertical direction. A spring '72 extends between a pin '74- on shaft 56 and a finger from arm 68 to urge the print roller 48 upwardly at all times. An arcuate cam '76 projects from the bracket 58 in cooperative relation with a roller '73 mounted on the upper surface of the arm 6% to control the vertical position of the roller 4 At its start and delivery positions the roller 58 is spaced above the type wheels Si by the spring '72. intermediate these positions the cam 76 forces the print roller 48 downwardly to press the ticket against the wheels 3d as the roller passes thereover to thereby obtain a clear impression on the ticket T.

The carrier l i (FIGS. 3 and 5) comprises downturned flanges 82 which rest on screws 84 threaded into the plates 64, 65. The screws 8% pass through slots in the flanges 82 and springs 86 extend from the rear screws 34 and to tabs on the flanges 32 to urge the carrier rearwardly. Movement of the carrier is controlled by a can plate 38 which rests on bracket 53 with screws 9% threaded therein and passing through slots in the cam plate. The carrier 44 has a cam piece 2 fastened to its rear side in cooperative relation to a pin 94 which projects downwardly from the plate 38. The plate 88 also has two opposed edges 96, 98 which are in obstructive relation with a pin l'llil depending from arm 63.

With a ticket positioned in the carrier 44 by locating surfaces 68, 7t? thereon, the operating lever is swung toward its delivery position. After the roller as has passed over all the wheels 3% and has been raised above the carrier, the pin lltltl engages the edge as (see phantom positions in FIG. 3) and shifts the cam plate to the left. As the plate 88 is so shifted, the pin 34 engages the campiece 92 and vshifts the carrier forwardly. When the lever 46 is swung back to its start position, the carrier remains in its shifted position until the roller 48 passes over all the Wheels 349 to print a second in ression (final print) on the ticket, spaced from the first impression. The pin 1% then engages the edge $8 and shifts the plate 93 to the right back to its original position whereupon the pin 94- is carried past the campiece 92 so that the springs 86 will return the carrier to its original position preparatory to the next cycle of operation.

Drive for Volume Indicating T ype Wheels and Counters There are five volume type wheels 3dr (FIG. 3) capable of indicating the delivery of up to 9999.9 gallons of fuel. The drive for these wheels is conveniently taken from the gallons shaft 192 (FIGS. 4 and 7) of the variator 32. The gallon shafts 162 is journaled within the tubular money shaft 1'93 of the variator, which in turn is journaled in the frame plate The upper end of shaft M2 is journaled in a projection MP4 from an upstanding post 1% which is an integral part of the frame plate 6%. A bevel gear 1% is secured to the shaft fill; and meshes with a second bevel gear 1% secured to a shaft lltl. The shaft lid is journaled in the post 1 35 and also in the plate er. A spur gear 1'12 (see also PEG. 9) is mounted on the hub of the gear 108 with a one-way overriding clutch 111i providing a drive connection therebetween. The gear 112 is mounted on a clutch cage 114 with rollers 116 spring urged to transmit rotation to the gear 112 vhen the gear 1% and shaft 11% are rotating in a clockwise direction. This will allow the gear 112 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction while the gear 1% remains stationary during reset as will later become apparent.

The gear 1T2 meshes with a gear 218 which is rotatably mounted on a reset shaft 12%. The reset shaft 120 is journaled on the plates 6d, d5 (REG. 4), with the reset knob 54 (FIG. 1) being secured to its outer end. The gear 113 (FIGS. 7 and 9) meshes with an idler gear 122 which is rotatably mounted on an idler shaft 124. The idler shaft is mounted on the plates 64, 65. The idler gear i412 meshes with a gear 126 pinned to the fractions type wheel 30v which is rotatably mounted on a shaft I... All the remaining type wheels are likewise rotatably mounted on the shaft 12? which is mounted at its opposite ends on the plates 64, 65. A series of dots 123 are provided to the left (as viewed from the front, see HG. 3) of each numeral on the fractions wheel 350v to provide the necessary decimal point in printing the volume of fuel delivered.

The drive f r the remaining print wheels Stlv comprises a series of gears (FlGS. 7 and 8) rotatably mounted on the reset shaft 1263. The cars HE and 139 each comprises a sandwich formed by a locking disc 129 and a two-toothed disc 131 which are pinned together on a hub A series of Geneva gears 135 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 137 which extends between the plates 64, 65 and is mounted in a manner later described in detail. Each Geneva gear spans the discs 129 and 131 or" one gear, and the next adjacent gear 134 The locking discs 129 have notches which permits limited rotation of the Geneva ears r35 upon each full revolution of the gears ill and 13%. The number of teeth on tie various gears are such that each gear 139 will be rotated A of a revolution for each full revolution of the next adjacent gear towards th ractional drive gear 118. Each gear 13% meshes an idler gear 132 (FIGS. 7 and 8) rotatably mounted on idler shaft 124. Each idler gear 132 in turn meshes with a gear 13- which is pinned to one of the remaining type wheels 3dr. it is obvious that he discs 1 and 131 could be dispensed with on t..e gear 136; driving the highest order wheel 3dr. The type wheels Et v are successively and incrementally rotated from the lowest order upward through the driving gears i359 and Geneva gears 135 with the exception of he lowest order or fractions type wheel which is continuously rotated by the gcardld in response to rotation of the gallons shaft 1%. With the described arrangement the prirwheels 3th are closely spaced so that a number of impressions may be printed along a line of minimun" length with the impressions individually having a maximum size for good legibility.

The gallons shaft 1% (FIGS. 6 and 9) is also drivingly connected to the counters 5d and 52 (FIG. 1) through the means now to be described. A spiral gear 153 is pinned to the shaft 192 and meshes with a corresponding spiral gear 155 pinned to a shaft 157. The shaft 157 is journaled at one end in a post 159 (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). journaled in an upstanding plate 161 formed integrally with the frame plate an adjacent the front thereof. A bevel gear 163 (FIG. 9) is secured to the front end of the shaft 157 and meshes with a bevel gear 165. A spur gear 167 is secured to the same shaft as the gear 165 and meshes with a gear 169 secured to the end of the shaft 171 for the counter The counter 51 is thus rotated to give a visible indication at the printer unit of the volume of fuel oil in each delivery. Means later described are provided for zeroing the counter ."Sil prior to each subsequent delivery.

The gear 167 also meshes with a gear 173 which is secured to a gear 175. The gear 175 meshes with a gear 177 which is secured to a gear 179. The gear 1'2? meshes with a gear 131 secured to the shaft 183 of the counter 52-. The gear train from the gear 167 to the gear 181 provides a lO-to-l reduction in the rate of driving the counter 52. Counter 52 thus gives a visible indication of the amount of oil delivered in even gallons, rather than tenths of a gallon, as in the case of the counter 59. The counter 52 is a cumulative counter and is not reset. The counter 52 is mounted on a bracket 185 formed at the upper end of the frame plate 161, while the counter 515 is mounted on the plate 161 itself (see also FIG. 5). The shafts for the gears forming the train including gears 167, 173 and 177, are rotatably mounted on an upstanding angle plate 187 which is secured to the frame plate so by screws 1189.

Drive for Price Indicating Type Wheels and Counter and for Adjusting the Variator Referring now to FIG. 10, the price per gallon type wheels 313p (see also FIG. 3) are rotatably mounted on the shaft 127 and have pinned thereto spur gears 136 which respectively mesh with idler gears 13%. The'idler gears 133 are rotatably mounted on idler shaft 124 and mesh with gears 1 th which are mounted on the reset shaft 126. The gears 140 have locking discs 12? and two tooth discs 131 secured thereto in the same fashion as the gears 11S and 131i. Theseelements mesh with further Geneva gears 135 to incrementally transmit rotation from one gear 140 to the next successive gear 146. The gear for the lowest order type wheel Slip is driven through a gear 142 rotatably mounted on a shaft 144 and meshing with the associated idler gear 133. shaft 144 is journaled on the plates 64. The gear 142 meshes with a gear 146 (see also FIG. 22) which is secured to a tubular hub 147 and journaled on a shaft 148. The shaft 143 is journaled on the frame walls 62. Also secured to the hub 147 is a gear 151) which meshes with a gear 152. The gear 152 is secured to a shaft 154 which is journaled (FIGS. 4 and 11) in a lug 156, the

wall as viewed from thefront) 62, and another lug 158.

The shaft 154 extends towards the left hand side of the printing unit and has a disc 201 telescoped over its outer end. The disc 2111 has a series of ten holes 2633 (see also FIG. 6) equiangular spaced on a common; radius and adapted to selectively receive a pin 2%. An arm 213*7 is secured to the shaft 154 and carries a pin 2119 which is slidingly received by a hole in disc 2ll1. The operating knob 36, seen in FIG. 1, is secured tothe outer end of the hub for disc 2111.

Rotation of shaft 154 is accomplished by first pushing in on knob 36 to unseat the disc 201 from the pin 205. The knob 36 may then be freely rotated and, with it, shaft 154. disc 201 on pin 235. If one of the holes 203 is not aligned with the pin 205, interlock means can be provided to sense that the disc Ztll has not been properly seated The front end of the shaft 157 is T he Upon release of knob 36 spring 211 seats.

Y 6 and prevent operation of the printer unit or dispensing unit. Thus rotation of the shaft 154 is limited to fixed angular increments representing price variations of qt' per gallon. It will be seen that pin 205 is angularly adjustable in post 215 for calibration purposes. A gear 160 (FIGS. 10 and 11) is secured to the shaft 154 and meshes with an idler gear 162 which in turn drives a gear 164 secured to the shaft of the counter 38. A worm 166 is secured to the shaft 154 and meshes with a worm wheel segment 166' (FIGS. 1 and, 2) which is a component of the variator 32. As can be seen in FIG. 4, an opening is provided in plate 60 for the worm wheel segment 166'. The variator 32 is responsive to movement of the segment 16:? to change the rate of rotation of its money shaft 1193 as taught in said copending application.

Rotation of the shaft 154 by knob 36 thus accomplishes three things: (a) the variator 32 is adjusted so that its output rate (rotation of shaft 1&3) will correspond to the established price of the fuel; (1)) the type wheels 319p through the gear train including gears 15%, 146, 14-2, 138 and 136, will be rotated to reflect this established price; and likewise the counter 38 will be rotated through the gear train comprising gears 1611, 162 and 164 to give a visual indication of this established price.

Drive for the Cost Indicating Type Wheels Reference is neat made to FIGS. 4 and 12 and cost indicating shaft or money shaft 1% of the variator, which is journaled in the plate oil (FIG. 7) as previously noted. A gear 217 is secured to the upper end of shaft 103 and meshes with a gear 215 (FIG. 12) secured to a vertical shaft 168. The shaft 168 is journaled in plate 60 and also in an arm 17f? projecting from a frame post 172. A bevel gear 174 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 168 and meshes with a bevel gear 176 secured to a shaft 221. The shaft 221 is journaled in the post 172 and plate 65 (see also FIG. 4). A spur gear 17$ (FIGS. 12 and 13) is mounted on the hub of the gear 176 with a oneway clutch 1811 providing a driving connection therebetween. The construction of clutch 181} is essentially the same as that of clutch 111 (FIGS. 7 and 9). The gear 173 is rotated in response to clockwise movement of the gear 176 while counterclockwise rotation of gear 178 can be had with the gear 176 remaining stationary. This again is for reset purposes later explained in detail.

The gear 178 meshes with a gear 223 mounted on the reset shaft 121). The gear 223 drives the lowest order, cents, cost, type wheel 30c (see also FIG. 13) through an idler gear 182 which meshes with a gear 184 pinned to type wheel 30c. Idler gear 182 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 124. Further drive gears 223 are mounted on the shaft 121] and arranged to rotate the remaining type wheels 30c through other gears 182 and 184 (not shown). Locking discs 129 and two tooth discs 131 are secured to each gear 223 to rotate each successively higher wheel 300 in increments of revolution, through additional Geneva gears 135.

Drive for the Tax Indicating Type Wheels Referring now to FIGS. 12, 16 and 17, a worm 186 is secured to the shaft 168 and drives a worm gear 138 which is secured to shaft 190. The shaft 190 is journaled (see FIG. 4) on a post 225 in the frame wall 62, and on a bracket 192. The bracket 192 is secured to frame plate 60 by the illustrated screws. The shaft 190 rotates at a fixed rate relative to the rate of rotation of the money shaft 168. A cluster of spur gears 194 (FIGS. 16 and 17) are secured to the shaft 190. Means are provided to selectively drive an output shaft 196 from one of the gears 194. The shaft 1% (FIGS. 4 and 5) is journaled on the bracket 192, plate 64, post 172 and the other plate 65. These driving means comprise an idler. gear 198 which is journaled on a shaft 200 extending between the forked arms 202 of a lever 204. The arms'ZlPZ embrace a gear 2% which is secured to a sleeve 208 by a screw 210. The

screw 219 has a dog which is slidingly received in a longitudinal slot 212 formed in the shaft The lever arms 2% are pivotally mounted relative to the sleeve 203 by means of flanged washers 227. The lower ends of the arms 202 are reduced in width and captured in a slot formed in the bridge of a U-shaped bracket 214. The bracket 214 is pivotally mounted at one end on the shaft 196 and at the other end on a journal sleeve 216 for that shaft. A spring 218 extends from the bracket 214 to a fixed point on the frame plate 6% to constantly urge the gear 198 into mesh with one of the gears 194.

The lever 294 projects upwardly through an opening 229 in the top wall of housing 4t? (FIG. 3). This opening is provided with notches corresponding to the position of the lever 2th.; for meshing engagement with the various gears 194. Appropriate indicia can be provided adjacent these notched openings to indicate the rate at which the tax is computed when the lever 2% is seated therein. Means are also provided for positioning the lever 2% so that it is held out of mesh with the gears 194- where there is to be no tax on the fuel. It will be noted that bearing sleeve 216 permits sufficient sliding movement of the sleeve 2% for gear 193 to mesh with the largest gear 194.

A gear 224i (FIGS. 16 and 17) is mounted on the shaft 1% adjacent the post 172. The gear 22% is rotated by the shaft 196 through a one-way drive clutch 22%) essentially identical with the clutch 111 previously described in connection with the gear 112. Thus the shaft 196 will rotate the gear 22a in a clockwise direction while permitting the gear 22 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as the shaft 1% remains stationary. The gear 22% meshes with an idler gear 222 mounted on the shaft 221. The idler gear 222 meshes with a gear 224 mounted on the reset shaft 129 and in turn meshes with a gear 226 rotatably mounted on the idler shaft 124. The gear 226 drives a gear 228 which is pinned to the lowest order tax type wheel Sllx. Each of the remaining type wheels Sdx has a gear 228 (not shown) pinned thereto which mesh with other idler gears 226 and drive gears 224 (which are also not shown). These further gears 226 and 224 are respectively rotatably mounted on the shafts 12 i and 128. Each of the gears 224 comprises a sandwich formed by the locking disc 129 and two toothed disc 131 which cooperate with additional Geneva gears 135 to successively and incrementally rotate the gears adjacent the drive gear 224 for the lowest order wheel Edx in the manner pre viously described. The wheels 3 5x are thus capable of indicating the amount of tax on the fuel oil in each delivery up to $99.99 (see again FIG. 3).

The description herein given has been based on the premise that the tax is assessed as a fixed percentage of the selling price. However, if the tax were to be based on a fixed amount per gallon, then the drive for the cluster of gears 19% would be taken from the gallons shaft 102 rather than the shaft 168 which is driven from the money shaft 1%.

Drive for the Total Cost Type Wheels The total cost type wheels 3dr (FIG. 3) reflect the sum of the fuel cost (shown on the wheels 3tlc) and the amount of the tax (shown on the wheels 3dr). The lowest order wheel Silt (FIG. 19) is rotatably mounted on the shaft 127 and has a gear 33% pinned thereto. The gear 330 meshes with an idler gear 332 rotatably mounted on the shaft 124. The idler gear 332 in turn meshes with a drive gear 334 which meshes with another idler gear 336 (see also FIG. 12) rotatably mounted on the shaft 221. The gear 336 is driven by gear 333 which is mounted on a shaft 340. The shaft 349 is journaled on the post 172 (FIG. 4) and plate 65. A one-way drive clutch 342 provides a driving connection between the shaft 346 and the gear 338, whereby the gear 333 will be driven when the shaft 3% rotates in a clockwise direction and yet the gear 338 may rotate in a counterclockwise direction, while the shaft 34% remains stationary. Operation of clutch 342 is essentially the same as previously described in connection with gear 112 and clutch 1.11.

Shaft 3 ft? (FIGS. 12 and 20) is the output shaft of an integrator 344 and comprises a pair of bevel gears 346, 348 rotatably mounted on the shaft 340 and a block 35% pinned thereto. The block 3% has a stud 352 on which is mounted a bevel gear 354. The bevel gear 354 meshes with both of the bevel gears 346 and 343.

One input for the integrator 3 14 is derived from the money shaft 1% through the previously described drive connections to the shaft 221. A gear 356 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 221 and meshes with a gear 553 which is secured to the hub of bevel gear 348. The second input for the integrator 344 is taken from the drive shaft 196 (FIG. 20) for the tax type wheels Sex. A gear 360 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 196 and meshes with an idler gear 362 rotatably mounted on a shoulder screw 364 threaded into the right hand frame 'plate 64-. The gear 362 meshes with a gear 365 which is secured to the hub of bevel gear 346.

The shaft 3% will therefore be rotatable in response to rotation of either the shafts 221 or 196 and its rate of rotation will reflect the additive sum of the rates of rotation of both these shafts. The total cost wheels 3th are thus driven from shaft 3 3i} at a rate such that the amount shown thereon will equal the total of the amounts shown on the wheels Silc and 39x.

Type Wheel Leveling Mechanism it has been discovered that the lowest order type wheels 3th 390, 30x or 31% will each be located in random positions at the end of a delivery of fuel oil. It is therefore preferably to provide the type wheel leveling means, now to be described, in order to insure a clear impression from these specified type wheels. The effect of these means is to register or level one of the numerals on each of said type wheels relative to the ticket T as it is positioned by the carrier 44. Briefly speaking, the leveling means advances each of said type wheels whatever small angular displacement is necessary to bring the next successive numeral thereon into proper register.

A ratchet wheel 366 is secured to each of the idler gears 122, 182, 226 and 332 (FIGS. 9, 13, 17 and 19 respectively) for the lowest order print wheels Silv, 3tic, 36x and 361', respectively. A pawl 368 is (FIGS. 19, 21 and 22) operatively positioned relative to each ratchet 366 being pivotally mounted at the end of an arm 37% (FIG. 19 in particular) by means of a headed pin 3'71 riveted thereto. A spring 372 extending between the pawl 363 and the arm 37d pulls the pawl 36% into engagement with a pin 3'73 projecting from the arm 370. The spring 372 also permits the pawl 368 to yield in a clockwise direction. The arm 370 is secured to the shaft 144 by a pin extending through the hub therefor. The shaft 144 projects beyond the plate 65 and has a lever 374 (FIGS. 21, 22 and 23) secured to its outer end. A link 3% connects the lever 374 to the upper end of a lever 373 which is pivotally mounted on pin 380 projecting from plate 65. A rod 382 extends from the lower end of the lever 37? to a lever 38% (FIGS. 21 and 22) pivotally mounted about pin 38 5 at the rear of the printing device. The pin 386 is mounted on a sheet metal bracket 387 which is secured to the post 172. A cam roll 388 is mounted on the opposite end of the lever 334 and bears against a cam 3% which is secured to the operating shaft 56.

Cam 3% has an actuating lug 392 secured thereto which is shown in the position it assumes when the operating lever 46 is in its rest position. The phantom showing of lug 392 indicates its position after the operating lever 46 has been swung to zero print a ticket and in the position it assumes while the printed ticket is in its ope'rative position for the delivery of fuel oil. Upon the completion of a delivery of fuel oil, the shaft 56 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, by manual operation of lever 46, causing the lug 392 to momentarily displace the came roll 388 outwardly thereby pivoting the lever 384 in a clockwise direction. This movement is transmitted through link 382 to pivot the lever 378 (FIG. 23) also in a clockwise direction. This movement is then transmitted to link 376 andarm 374 to cause the shaft 144 to rock in a clockwise direction. Referring now to FIG. 19, as viewed therein, the shaft 144 is rocked in a counter clockwise direction swinging with it the arm 370 and bringing the pawl 368 into engagement with one of the teeth of ratchet 366. The pawl 368 is swung to the indicated phantom position each time thereby bringing the pawl 366 to one of ten possible angular positions which are'correlated to the associated type wheel to position one of the numerals thereon in proper register or level with the card positioned by the carrier 44.

This leveling action takes place prior to the roller 48 contacting the ticket T to print an impression thereon. Once the type wheels are level, the lug 392 passes beyond the roll 388 and the described mechanism is returned to its full line positions by a spring 394 which extends from the lever 378 (FIG. 23) to a pin projecting from the frame wall 63.

It is, of course, apparent that the leveling mechanism is actuated immediately after the zero print operation as the lever 46 is displaced to its operative position and the lug 392 passes it to its illustrated phantom position. In the operative position of the lever 46 the lug 392 has passed beyond the roll 388 so that the pawls 368 are spaced from the ratchets 366 as the various type wheels 30 are driven during the delivery of fuel oil.

Reset Mechanism As has been mentioned after each delivery of fuel oil and printing of a final reading on a ticket T it is necessary to reset the various type wheels 30 to their zero positions. To this end a single-tooth, one-way clutch connection is provided between the reset shaft and the various drive gears 118 (FIG. 7), 136 (FIG. 8), 178 (FIG. 13), 220 (FIG. 17), and 334 (FIG. 19). This includes all of the gears mounted on the shaft 120, with the exception of the gears 140 which are employed in setting the price wheels 39p.

Each one-way clutch comprises a tooth 394 which is pivotally mounted on the Geneva locking disc 129 (FIG. 9). A leaf spring 396 bears against the tooth 394 and yieldingly urges it against the shaft 120. A longitudinal groove 398 is formed in the shaft 120 coextensive in length with the named drive gears. One surface of groove 398 abuts the end of the tooth 394 when the shaft 120 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. The other surface of this groove earns the tooth 394 outwardly, permitting rotation of the disc 129 in a clockwise direction. The one-way clutches just described permits the various named driving gears to rotate freely in a counterclockwise position as they drive the various type wheels 30 in response to Operation'of the variator 32. Upon completion of a delivery of fuel oil, the shaft 120 may be rotated one full revolution in a counterclockwise direction to return the various driving gears and their associated type wheels to their zero positions.

The reset operation is manually performed by pushing in on the knob 54 (FIG. 1) and then'rotating the shaft 120. More specifically, it will be seen (FIGS. 7-and 18), that the shaft 121) is journaled on the plates 64 and 65 and is also axially slidable relative thereto. A spring 403 (FIG. 18) acting againsta thrust bearing 405 yieldingly maintains the shaft 1263 in its operative position as determined by engagement of a collar pinned thereto with the plate 65. The collar 4% is slotted (see also FIG. 23) to receive a screw head 492 to thereby establish a fixed angular position for the shaft 12am its operative position.

I mounted on the plates 64 and 10 In order to reset the type wheels, the shaft 126 must first be axially displaced against the force of spring 403 to unseat the collar 400 from the screw 402. The shaft 124) may then be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 9) to reset the type wheels by the groove 398 engaging the teeth 394. Once a full revolution of the shaft 12%) is completed, all the type wheels 31 will be in their zero positions and the collar 400 will again be seated on the screw 402.

Referring again to FIGS. 7 and 18, it will be seen that means are provided for maintaining said named driving gears stationary as the shaft is shifted axially. A cupshapedretainer 416 is secured to the plate 64 and bears against the disc 131 attached to the outer gear 132. A cup-shaped retainer 412 is secured to the plate 65 and bears against a collar 414 which in turn bears against the outer gear 334. All gears on the shaft 120 are thus held in fixed lateral relation relative to the plates 64 and 65.

A sprocket 4-04 is secured to the shaft 120. A chain 466 (FIG. 23) extends from the sprocket 464 to a sprocket 468 which is secured to the shaft of counter 50, and arranged to zero that counter as Well.

It will be noted that the previously described one-way clutches 111 (FIG. 9), 180 (FIG. 13), 221 (FIG. 17) and 342 (FIG. 19) permit the reset operation to be accomplished While the variator 32 and the various elements driven thereby up to these named one-way clutches, remain stationary.

In order to reset the type wheels 36, it has been found preferable to disengage the various Geneva gears from the driving gears with which they mesh. When this is done, it has also been found preferable to restrain these drive gears from free rotation so that they will not ride ahead of the groove 393 in being reset to their zero positions.

The means for accomplishing this last-named end take the form of spring fingers 416 (FIGS. 13l5) which are swung into engagement with the named drive gears as the Geneva gears 135 are disengaged therefrom. The spring fingers 16 are formed after the fashion of a comb (see also FIG. 7) which is clamped by screws 41.8 and a bar 420 in a slot formed in a holder 422. The holder 422 has depending ears 424 which receive a shaft 426 pivotally Plates 423, 436 are secured as by brazing to opposite ends of the holder 422. The plates 428 and 430 are slotted to receive the shaft 137 for the Geneva gears 135. Springs 432 are attached to the plates 428 and 430 and tend to rotate these plates in a clockwise direction thereby applying a force to the shaft 137 which tends to maintain the Geneva gears 135 in their operative positions.

The Geneva shaft 137 extends beyond the frame plate 64 (FIGS. 7 and 9) and overlies a lever 434 which is pivotally mounted by screw 436 on the plate 64. A c llar 438 is secured to the shaft 126 and has a tapered portion which underlies the lever 434 and cams the lever 434 upv upward force is transmitted to plate 428 so that the carrier 422 is swung in acounterclockwise direction bringing the spring fingers 416 intoengagement with the drive gears aligned therewith. The plates 428 and 436 are also swung to raise both ends of the shaft 137 and disengage the Geneva gears 135 from said drive gears.

The rod 440 (FIG. 13) spans the plates 64 and 65 and is slidable in vertical slots formed therein. is disposed immediately abovethe Geneva gears 135. As the Geneva gears 135 are raised, the rod 446 will fit be tween the teeth thereon and also be raised against the force of springs 442, acting at each of its ends. are thereby in a fixed angular position so that they will later mesh with the drive gears which are returned'to a fixed angular position upon completion of the reset oper- The rod 446 i The gears 135. 

1. A TICKET PRINTER IN COMBINATION WITH A VARIATOR DRIVEN IN FIXED RELATION TO THE DELIVERY OF MEASURED QUANTITIES OF LIQUID AND HAVING A VOLUME OUTPUT SHAFT REFLECTING THE VOLUME DELIVERED AND A MONEY SHAFT REFLECTING THE COST OF THE DELIVERY AND INCLUDING VARIATOR ADJUSTING MEANS FOR THE COST OUTPUT SHAFT TO REFLECT AN ESTABLISHED LIQUID UNIT PRICE, SAID PRINTER COMPRISING A SERIES OF VOLUME TYPE-WHEELS, A SERIES OF COST TYPE-WHEELS, A SERIES OF PRICE TYPE-WHEELS, A SERIES OF TAX TYPE-WHEELS, A SHAFT ON WHICH ALL TYPE-WHEELS, ARE ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION, A GEAR CONNECTED TO AND ROTATABLE WITH EACH TYPEWHEEL, A SECOND SHAFT PARALLEL TO THE FIRST SHAFT HAVING A SERIES OF ROTATABLY MOUNTED IDLER GEARS MESHING RESPECTIVELY WITH THE TYPE-WHEEL GEARS, A THIRD SHAFT PARALLEL TO THE SECOND SHAFT HAVING A SERIES OF ROTATABLY MOUNTED DRIVING GEARS MESHING RESPECTIVELY WITH SAID IDLER GEARS, SPACED PLATES SUPPORTING SAID SHAFTS, MEANS TO ROTATE THE DRIVE GEAR FOR THE LOWEST ORDER VOLUME TYPE-WHEEL FROM SAID VOLUME OUTPUT SHAFT, MEANS FOR ROTATING THE DRIVE GEAR FOR THE LOWEST ORDER COST TYPE-WHEEL FROM SAID MONEY SHAFT, MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID VARIATOR ADJUSTING MEANS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ROTATING THE DRIVE GEAR FOR THE LOWEST ORDER PRICE TYPE-WHEEL TO INDICATE AN ESTABLISHED LIQUID UNIT PRICE, MEANS INCLUDING A SPEED REDUCING DRIVE FOR ROTATING THE LOWEST ORDER TAX TYPE-WHEEL FROM ONE OF THE VARIATOR OUTPUT SHAFTS AND GENEVA GEAR MEANS TO ADVANCE THE REMAINING DRIVING GEARS OF EACH SERIES IN INCREMENTAL STEPS, A ONE-WAY CLUTCH CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID THIRD SHAFT AND EACH OF THE DRIVING GEARS FOR THE VOLUME, COST AND TAX TYPE-WHEELS AND ONE-WAY DRIVE CONNECTIONS FOR OPERATING SAID DRIVING GEARS IN ONE DIRECTION WITH MEANS TO ROTATE SAID THIRD SHAFT AND SAID DRIVING GEARS IN A REVERSE DIRECTION TO RESET SAID VOLUME, COST AND TAX TYPE-WHEELS TO ZERO, INTERDIGITATING MEANS NORMALLY LOCKING SAID THIRD SHAFT IN A FIXED ANGULAR POSITION AND MEANS FOR AXIALLY SHIFTING SAID THIRD SHAFT TO CLEAR SAID INTERDIGITATING MEANS AN THEREBY PERMIT ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT IN ITS SAID REVERSE DIRECTION, A COMB COMPRISING SPRING FINGERS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE DRIVING GEARS FOR THE VOLUME, COST AND TAX TYPE-WHEELS, A COMB HOLDER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SPACED PLATES TO SWING SAID FINGERS TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM SAID DRIVING GEARS, A SHAFT ROTATABLY CARRYING SAID GENEVA GEARS AND BEING SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN INTERSECTING SLOTS IN SAID PLATES AND SAID COMB HOLDER FOR MOVEMENT TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM SAID DRIVING GEARS, SAID GENEVA SHAFT EXTENDING BEYOND ONE OF SAID PLATES; CAM MEANS ON SAID THIRD SHAFT FOR DISPLACING THE SAID ONE END OF THE GENEVA SHAFT AWAY FROM THE THIRD SHAFT A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT FOR THE COMB HOLDER TO SWING THE COMB TEETH AGAINST SAID DRIVING GEARS AND SUFFICIENT TO DISPLACE THE GENEVA GEARS OUT OF MESH WITH THE DRIVING GEARS. 